Become a Member

MWCA18 in Review: Key Wireless Policy Priorities .

MWCA18 in Review: Key Wireless Policy Priorities

Share

Scott Bergmann

Senior Vice President, Regulatory Affairs

After a busy Mobile World Congress Americas, the CTIA team is back in D.C. and echoing the words of Commissioner Rosenworcel, we’re feeling energized by all the exciting wireless things we saw, heard and experienced and their promise for our connected future.

I want to extend a special thank you to the policymakers and experts that joined us at MWCA as part of our Everything Policy track. We appreciate you sharing the latest wireless news from your agencies and offices, as well as your perspectives and ideas on wireless policy.

Policymakers discussed the following:

The need for more spectrum

NTIA Administrator Redl shared the agency’s work to make more spectrum available, including investigations of the 1300-1350 MHz, 3100-3450 MHz, 3450-3550 MHz and 3700-4200 MHz bands.

Photo

“The Administration has prioritized efforts to spur investment in broadband infrastructure… Congress has weighed in here as well. The MOBILE NOW legislation included sections crafted to promote easier siting of communications facilities on federal land.”- NTIA Administrator David Redl

The importance of a dynamic spectrum auction process

Commissioner Rosenworcel discussed her hopes for the continued success of the spectrum allocation process, calling for the thoughtful valuation of spectrum and voicing her confidence in the FCC’s spectrum auctions.

Photo

“The FCC has held nearly 90 auctions, issued more than 44,000 licenses and raised more than $140 billion in revenue. In fact, our efforts have been a model for regulators worldwide.” – FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel

The value of globally harmonizing spectrum

Commissioner O’Rielly shared his thoughts on the importance of harmonizing spectrum bands across the world. He also encouraged foreign governments and international organizations to consider the success of the U.S.’s spectrum model.

Photo

Photo

“U.S. success… has been grounded in policies designed to (1) make the spectrum attractive for all industry participants and uses, (2) put it to its highest value use, and (3) ensure that the certainty exists to foster the necessary environment to promote investment and deployment.” – FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly

The need to densify wireless infrastructure to support next-gen networks

Photo

"The private sector, not the government, is planning to invest more than a quarter-trillion dollars to densify their networks with new small cells, which are the building blocks of 5G.” – FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr

The importance of efficient, cost-effective wireless siting processes

Commissioner Carr explained why this issue has had such a big impact on the Race to 5G. NTIA Administrator Redl also shared NTIA’s work to streamline siting on federal lands.

Photo

“To upgrade our networks—to win the race to 5G—we need to upgrade our rules. Until recently, our approach to infrastructure assumed that every new cell site was a large, 200-foot tower. That meant long and costly reviews. And that makes no sense when 80 percent of all new deployments are going to be small cells—roughly backpack-sized antennas that can attach to existing utility poles.” – FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr

Photo

“The Administration has prioritized efforts to spur investment in broadband infrastructure… Congress has weighed in here as well. The MOBILE NOW legislation included sections crafted to promote easier siting of communications facilities on federal land.”- NTIA Administrator David Redl

The U.S. needs common sense policies like these and others discussed at MWCA to remain the global leader in wireless. We look forward to continuing to work with policymakers to build a dynamic future for wireless networks and bring the promise of 5G to Americans across the country.